He had never hurt Justin the way he’d hurt Mynor. Mynor hadn’t expected him to. He also hadn’t expected Pythom to be so disrespectful since Justin was Anya’s son, but maybe he’d taken the way Anya was treating Justin as a go-ahead to be a dickhead to him, too. After all, Justin was a prisoner right now. He might continue being one for a while, depending on what Anya decided to do with her son.
Justin looked at Pythom as if he were an idiot. To be fair, he was. One didn’t need to be smart to be a prison guard.
“There’s me and Mynor,” he said slowly. “That’s two.”
Pythom seemed to realize what Justin was thinking because he scowled. “I know there are two of you,” he snapped. “I thought it would be fun to only give you one tray. I wonder which one of you will be starving today.” He leaned closer to the bars. “My money’s on you, little boy.”
He stepped away and turned toward Mynor to wink at him. Mynor just stared. Arguing wouldn’t help him or Justin. It wouldn’t help anyone. Thankfully, Justin seemed to realize it because he didn’t say anything else. He watched as Pythom whistled on his way out of the room, waiting until the door was closed behind him to sigh. “You should eat the food,” he told Mynor.
Mynor rolled his eyes. “Or we could share.”
“I don’t think Pythom wants us to share.”
“Is Pythom here right now? More so, do we care about what he wants?”
That got a smile out of Justin. “We don’t. You’re bigger than me. It takes more food for you to survive.”
“I’ll be fine with half the food. Is it at least edible this time?”
Justin grimaced. “Well, there’s no mold.” He sat down, keeping the tray steady, and peeked back at it.
They’d been eating a little better since Justin had arrived. It was clear that Anya wanted him to decide to stay, and he wouldn’t do that if he were starving. That didn’t mean they were eating like Anya or even the guards ate, though. They didn’t have a lot of food, and what they did have was scraps from the kitchen. Still, it was better than nothing or than what Mynor had been given before, so Mynor wasn’t going to argue. He also wasn’t going to starve Justin.
He moved to sit next to Justin, peeking at the tray. He snatched one of the two pieces of bread and gave it a bite, humming when he didn’t almost break a tooth. “The bread is mostly fresh.”
Justin snorted. “It’s themostlythat worries me.”
“You got used to eating with Anya. You’re not going to get that kind of food here.”
Justin picked up the other piece of bread. “That’s fine with me. It was a little too much, to be honest. Nothing like what I’m used to.”
“But you’re still used to something better than this,” Mynor said, gesturing at the tray.
“Caitlin was a good cook. Calyx is, too, and they always fussed over the rest of us. They made sure we had enough to eat, things like that. It was probably too much since we’re all adults, but I miss it. I missthem.”
From the way Justin talked about his family, it was clear that losing them was causing him pain. Mynor couldn’t do anything about Justin’s mother, but he hoped to reunite Justin with his brothers eventually. He wasn’t sure how he’d do that, but he’d find a way. Justin deserved it.
What Justin didn’t deserve was to be stuck here with him. Neither of them deserved to be in the cell.
Mynor had initially been wary of Justin, but he liked him. He didn’t think that Justin was here to spy on him or that he was working for Anya. No, he was too good and sweet for that. He was here because he’d stood up to her, and it had been the wrong choice. He didn’t belong here. He’d never find a way to go home if he stayed stuck in this cell, and Mynor had been thinking about how to get both of them out. There was only one way he could think of, unfortunately. “You know that we’re not getting out of here unless your mother says we can, right?” he asked as they ate.
“I’m aware,” Justin said. He sounded confused.
“Maybe you should accept her offer, then. She’ll get you out of here.” There was no way for Mynor to leave, but Justin? He had a chance.
Justin blinked and lowered his food. “Are you telling me that you want me to start working with Anya?”
“It would be better for you than being stuck here.”
“Would it be? You know what she’d make me do. There’s no way she’d let me leave this cell without proving myself to her. I don’t know exactly what that would entail, but it wouldn’t be anything good.”
“I agree, but it might be the only possibility you have.”
Justin shook his head. “As much as I hate being here, I’m not compromising. I’m not doing her bidding. Besides, I’m sure my brothers will eventually realize I’m gone, and they’ll find me. It’s just going to take them a little time.”
Mynor understood why Justin felt this way, so he didn’t push. He wouldn’t give in to Anya, either, if he were in Justin’s place. He didn’t like that he couldn’t do anything for him, though. “I guess you and I are stuck together, then.”
“I guess we are,” Justin confirmed. “Is that a problem? Do you want this magnificent cell all to yourself again?”
